Rose plant

ABSTRACT

A new unusual bright Cardinal Red miniature rose which holds its color well.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature rose class, which was originated by my crossingas seed parent an unnamed, unpatented seedling of my creation and aspollen parent the variety known as "Rainbow's End" (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5,482). The denomination of this new rose is "Savawire".

Among the novel characteristics possessed by this new variety whichdistinguish it from its parents and all other varieties of which I amaware are its unusual bright Cardinal Red flowers in this class of rose.Flowers hold their color well upon aging. Asexual reproduction bybudding of the new variety as performed in Essex County, Mass. showsthat the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true toform and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The accompanying drawing shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of the new variety in different stages of developmentand as depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible tomake the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.C.C.). The terminology used in color description hereinrefers to plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart, e.g., "53C"is plate 53C of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Parentage: Seedling.

Seed parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Pollen parent.--"Rainbow's End".

Class: Miniature.

The following observations are made of specimens grown outdoors in EssexCounty, Mass., during the month of October.

FLOWER

Blooming habit: Nearly continuous.

A. Bud:

(1) Size.--Small.

(2) Form.--Ovoid.

(3) Color.--As sepals divide, bud color is near Cardinal Red 53C to nearTurkey red 46C. `(4) Sepals.--Longer than bud, slightly foliated.

(5) Peduncle.--Length -- about 5/8 inch. Aspect -- straight. Strength --erect. Color -- near 182B.

B. Bloom:

(1) Size.--Average size when fully expanded -- about 7/8 to 1 inch.

(2) Borne.--Singly, one to a stem.

(3) Form.--Cupped shape, becoming flat. Petals reflex and quill topoints; very pronounced petal apices.

(4) Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions -- about 27 to32.

(5) Color.--As petals unfurl, flower coloring remains consistently inthe range of near Cardinal Red 53C to Turkey Red 46C to 46D. Near whitehigh-lights are seen at petal tips and glimpses of yellow coloring ofpetals toward point of petal attachment add to the attractiveness in theotherwise stable Cardinal Red flower coloring.

C. Petals:

(1) Texture.--Firm.

(2) Appearance.--Inside velvety and outside satiny.

(3) Form.--Broad, with pointed apices.

(4) Arrangement.--Regularly arranged.

(5) Petaloids in center.--Few.

(6) Persistence.--Drop off cleanly.

(7) Fragrance.--None.

(8) Lasting quality.--Very long lasting quality on plant.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

A. Stamens, filaments and anthers:

Arrangement and color.--Regularly arranged around styles. Color --filaments near 17A.

B. Pollen:

Color.--Near 17A.

C. Styles: Even, medium length, thin.

D. Stigmas:

Color.--Near 160D.

E. Hips: None observed.

PLANT

A. Form: Compact.

B. Growth: Very vigorous, uniform branching.

Height attained.--About 6 to 8 inches.

C. Foliage: Compound 5 to 7 leaflets.

(1) Size.--Small.

(2) Quantity.--Abundant.

(3) Color.--New foliage: Upper side -- near 143A. Under side -- near146D. Old foliage: Upper side -- near 143A. Under side -- near to 146D.

(4) Shape.--Oval, pointed.

(5) Texture.--Upper side is semiglossy; under side is matte.

(6) Edge.--Serrate.

(7) Serration.--Ordinary.

(8) Leaf stem.--Color -- near to 185C. Under side -- near 138C.

(9) Stipules.--Medium length, slightly bearded.

(10) Resistance to disease.--Blackspot -- Average. Mildew -- Average.Rust -- Average.

D. Wood:

(1) New wood.--Color -- near 179A. Bark -- smooth.

(2) Old wood.--Color -- near 144B. Bark -- smooth.

E. Thorns:

(1) Thorns.--Quantity (main stalk) -- ordinary. On laterals from stalk-- few. Form -- long, thin, slanted slightly downward. Length -- short.Color -- near 185A. Position -- irregular.

(2) Prickles.--Quantity (main stalk) -- few. On laterals -- none.

F. Winter hardiness: Needs protection in severe climates.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniaturerose class and all parts thereof, substantially as shown and described,characterized particularly by attractive bright Cardinal Red flowerswhich hold color well upon aging.